How Often Should I Have My Roof Inspected?
Your roof is an important part of your home. It keeps you warm on a cold winter’s night, dry when it’s raining out, and shielded from the sun’s rays. It also protects everything on the inside of your home. To ensure your roof will continue to protect you and your family from the outside elements, regular roof inspections are imperative.
There are various factors that can determine how often you should get your roof inspected such as the types of conditions it’s been weathering throughout the year and the types of materials it is made of. Immediate action should be taken if you see any signs of damage. Below are some guidelines to assist you in deciding how often you should get a roof inspection.
Inspecting your Roof Yourself
If you decide to do your own roof inspection, look for things like cracked caulking and uneven surfaces in your decking. Other things to take notice of include missing shingles or shingles that are buckling, curling or blistering, worn down rubber in your pipe vents, lichen or moss or any signs of decay.
If you find colored grit in your gutters, this is a red flag. You might think its sand, but what it really means is that your roof is getting too much UV ray exposure and could be an indication that your roof’s service life is near expiring. If you act quickly, you could buy yourself a few more years.
It’s also important that you have proper attic ventilation which can prevent ice dams in the wintertime. These build up during freezing temperatures and can cause damage. You can install an attic fan to help improve attic ventilation and preserve your roof.
Hiring a Professional to Inspect your Roof
The best policy when it comes to having your roof inspected is to hire a professional to do the job. When you don’t have the right kind of training, working on your roof can be dangerous. Professional roof contractors will have proper insurance coverage as well so if there are any accidents, they’re covered.
After you hire the right professional roof contractor to perform the inspection, ensure they also:
Look into the gutters: The contractor should always look into your gutters to see if there are any traces, grains or pieces of asphalt shingles (if this is the type of roof you have). If they find any, it could be a sign you are in need of a roof replacement.
Check the flashings: These are the metal pieces covering the edges and curves of your roof. When damaged, water can leak around them and inside of them.
Check for dry rot: If you have a roof made with shake or wooden shingles, the contractor should check for dry rot or warping to see if your shingles need replacing.
As your roof ages, a quick inspection each year can help prevent unexpected and unwanted problems. You definitely want to get a roof inspection at minimum once a year if your roof is nearing the last five years of its expected lifespan. Have it inspected immediately after any significant storms as well.